Department for Transport

Odyssey Marine Exploration

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the salvage licenses and contracts Odyssey Marine Exploration holds with his Department.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department for Transport holds only one salvage contract with Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. (OMEX). This was awarded in respect of the SS Mantola on 29 September 2011 and is due to end on 29 September 2015. I have asked officials to place the relevant documentation in the Library of the House as soon as this is available from the archives.

SS Gairsoppa: Salvage

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what settlement his Department has arrived at with unsuccessful bidders for the salvage contract for SS Gairsoppa.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what complaints were received by his Department from unsuccessful bidders for the salvage contract for SS Gairsoppa.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any officials in his Department have been subject to disciplinary procedures regarding the awarding and management of the salvage contract for SS Gairsoppa agreed between his Department and Odyssey Marine Exploration.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to recover outstanding money owed by Odyssey Marine Exploration to his Department regarding the salvage contract for SS Gairsoppa; and how much remains unpaid.

Mr Robert Goodwill: One unsuccessful bidder complained and subsequently made a claim against the Department concerning a procurement undertaken in 2009, contract awarded on 8 January 2010. The Department has now entered into an out of court settlement for £15 million plus costs. The Department is currently carrying out a review of the conduct of the procurement exercise and the subsequent management of the contract to Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. including the financial arrangements. The matter of whether any Departmental officials will be subject to disciplinary procedures is currently under consideration.

Home Office

Police: Surveillance

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many requests were made by the police for access to communications data relating to investigations into (a) drug offences, (b) people trafficking, (c) fraud, (d) other organised crime, (e) pornography and paedophile offences and (f) other offences in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mr John Hayes: Communications data is fundamental to investigating crime, safeguarding national security and protecting the public. The use of these powers is subject to stringent safeguards and is regulated by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The Interception of Communications Commissioner provides reports to the Prime Minister, which are published and laid in Parliament. These reports include statistics on the use of communications data powers by the police and other public authorities. The Commissioner’s report for 2014, which was published on 12 March 2015 (HC1113), includes a statistical breakdown, by police force, of the use of communications data powers and a breakdown of applications for communications data by statutory purpose. Beyond this, the Home Office does not collect statistics on public authority use of communications data. The recently updated Acquisition and Disclosure of Communications Data Code of Practice revised and enhanced the statistical obligations placed on public authorities. This includes reporting the purpose and (where relevant) crime type of each item of communications data included within every notice or authorisation.

Police: Helicopters

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has received from Welsh Assembly Ministers about the (a) Dyfed Powys Police Helicopter and (b) National Police Air Service.

Mike Penning: I have not received any representations from Welsh Ministers or Assembly Members about the Dyfed Powys helicopter or the National Police Air Service (NPAS). NPAS is an operational policing co-ordination initiative independent of the Home Office; but we support the Strategic Board in their work to provide an effective and efficient air service in England and Wales.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Vaccination

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support immunisation programmes in developing countries.

Grant Shapps: DFID primarily supports immunisation programmes in developing countries through the provision of funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The UK is the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi is a public-private partnership that saves lives by increasing access to immunisation in developing countries. Since 2000, Gavi has vaccinated half a billion children and saved 7 million lives. The UK will provide a total of £1.44 billion to Gavi over 2016-2020. It is estimated that UK support will save a child’s life every 2 minutes.  The UK is also a key donor to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which is working to eradicate polio by 2019. Since GPEI’s creation, global polio cases have fallen by more than 99%. Africa has now been polio free for nearly 1 year. The UK has committed £300 million to polio eradication over 2013-2019.

Department for Education

Educational Psychology

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2015 to Question 222652, whether she plans that the amount of funding allocated to the training of educational psychologists will remain at the same level as over the last five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The amount of funding allocated to the training of educational psychologists over the next five financial years (2015-16 to 2019-20) is expected to increase. From the 2016 intake the: Number of training places will rise by 14% from 132 to 150Year one[1] government bursary will increase by 10% from £14,400 to £15,950 (£14,900 to £16,390 for trainees attending a university in London). The exact figures are not yet known as we are currently out to open tender for training providers to deliver training for intakes in 2016 and 2017, with an option for an intake in 2018. Copies of the tender can be found at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b466174e-b2a0-4da4-8790-583aa2457cbe   The Secretary of State will make a decision on funding for a 2018 intake in 2016-17 and on intakes beyond 2019 in 2017-18.  [1] Local authority educational psychology services and schools pay trainees a bursary when they are on practice placement in years two and three.

Ministry of Defence

United Nations: Peacekeeping Operations

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will instigate a (a) medal, (b) day of national recognition and (c) site of remembrance to recognise the contribution of UK personnel deployed in Bosnia, Cyprus, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali on UN peacekeeping missions; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: UK Armed Forces personnel deployed on a United Nations (UN) operation are eligible to receive the appropriate UN medal, if they meet the criteria. The UK does not usually institute a medal where the UN already has one available to UK personnel. In terms of national recognition, Armed Forces Day provides a chance for the public to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. This includes currently serving personnel, their families, veterans and cadets. To honour those who have sadly lost their lives whilst in service, we have Remembrance Day. The Government does not fund memorials, but all those who have lost their lives whilst in the service of our country since the end of the Second World War, are commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Ministry of Defence: Staff

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people of each grade and payroll cost have been employed in his Department's Head Office in each of the last five years.

Penny Mordaunt: Information on the number of people employed by the Department’s Head Office in each of the last five years and their salary band is provided in the attached document. We have interpreted Head Office to mean all civilian staff employed in the Head Office & Corporate Services Business Area. This does not mean that all staff are stationed in London Headquarters (Main Building).



Ministry of Defence Head Office
(Excel SpreadSheet, 79 KB)

Air Force: Military Bases

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF bases in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland are (i) operational and (ii) in caretaker status.

Mark Lancaster: For the purposes of answering this question I have taken operational base to be any RAF base that supports frontline operations, such as main operating bases and training establishments. There are 27 operational RAF bases in England: included in this are two RAF-named units operated by other Front Line Commands, and the tri-service technical training bases. There is one RAF base in Scotland and none in Northern Ireland. There are two RAF bases in Wales, which includes a technical training base. These figures do not include minor RAF units; RAF-operated diversionary airfields at Army units; sites operated by the United States Visiting Forces; sites only used by University Air Squadrons, Air Experience Flights, and Volunteer Glider Squadrons; Force Development Training Centres; Air Weapon Ranges; or remote radar and radio sites. There is one former RAF base in the UK that is in caretaker status, which is in England.

Military Aircraft

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) Tornado and (b) Typhoon aircraft are (i) operationally ready for deployment, (ii) in maintenance, (iii) not fit for service and (iv) awaiting decommissioning; and if he will make a statement

Mr Philip Dunne: The information requested is provided in the table.StatusTornadoTyphoon Forward Available Fleet5791Sustainment Fleet3136Awaiting Decommissioning/Disposal80The Forward Available Fleet comprises those aircraft that are serviceable and ready for operational deployment or training, together with aircraft that are short-term unserviceable. Short-term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification or technical inspection work that can arise on a day-to-day basis.The Sustainment Fleet comprises those aircraft currently undergoing planned depth maintenance or upgrade programmes. It also includes airworthy aircraft that are currently held in temporary storage (e.g. to manage airframe flying hours). It excludes those which are redundant, declared surplus or awaiting decommissioning / disposal.Awaiting decommissioning / disposal includes those aircraft which have been identified for the removal and potential recycling of assets prior to their eventual disposal.The Ministry of Defence does not use the term 'Not fit for Service' in relation to military aircraft platforms.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft: Procurement

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F35 fighter jets have been ordered to date; what the cost of each F35 is; when he expects delivery of each fighter jet; when he expects the F35s to be combat-ready; what the total cost of the F35 programme is; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Philip Dunne: To date the UK has ordered eight F-35B aircraft. Three of these aircraft have been delivered and five are currently being manufactured. The UK continues to procure F-35B Lightning II aircraft via a rolling programme of contracts coherently to build the capability towards achieving an Initial Operating Capability from land in 2018 and an initial Carrier Strike Capability in 2020. The overall number of aircraft will be considered as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review later this year. The Department does not release detailed breakdowns of expenditure, or future cost estimates as to do so would undermine its commercial position.

HMS Queen Mary: Salvage

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to investigate allegations that the wreck of the battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary has been looted by salvors operating illegally.

Mark Lancaster: In March 2011 the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) received an allegation of theft of artefacts from the sunken battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary. After due consideration it was concluded by the MDP that no further action could be taken. Any new information will be considered by the MDP in the normal manner.

Malaria: Drugs

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 126, when he expects to be able to place in the Library the correspondence between his Department and Public Health England in relation to use of Lariam or Mefloquine and reports of (a) hallucinations, (b) psychosis and (c) suicidal thoughts in personnel prescribed those medications for the period 2010 to 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Lancaster: I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Department for Work and Pensions

Housing Benefit: Young People

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will carry out an impact assessment of the proposal to remove housing benefit entitlement from people aged 18 to 21 years old including the collection of data (a) for local authority areas and (b) nationally on the number of young people aged between 18 and 21 claiming housing benefit (i) who have suffered abuse and domestic violence in the family home and escaped, (ii) who have been thrown out of the family home because they are LGBTIQ, (iii) who have an alcoholic or drug dependent parent, (iv) who are orphans, (v) who are care leavers, (vi) who have never got on with a step-parent, (vii) whose parents are overseas, (viii) whose parents have moved to a different local authority area, (ix) who are living in a hostel, (x) who are living in a foyer, (xi) who are living in domestic violence refuges, (xii) whose parents do not have room for them and (xiii) who have parents in prison; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the criteria and process will be for determining which people aged between 18 and 21 will be exempt from the proposed restriction of housing benefit; how data will be collected to facilitate any proposed exemptions; what assessment he has made of whether young people currently accessing housing benefit would be put at risk of homelessness as a result of the proposed change; what methodology he has used for any such assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: We will set out our policy design in due course. As we develop the detailed policy we will ensure that those in need of support for their housing needs continue to receive it while ensuring the overall system is fair to the taxpayer.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will institute a full independent review of the benefit sanctions system.

Priti Patel: As with all our policies, we will continue to keep the operation of the system under review to ensure that it continues to operate effectively and as fairly as possible. We also continue to make improvements as committed to in the Oakley Review.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of benefit sanctions on (a) families with children and (b) people with mental ill health.

Priti Patel: Jobcentre Plus offers a wide range of support to help claimants back into work. This includes specialist provision delivered through the Flexible Support Fund aimed at supporting vulnerable claimants with a mental health condition, learning difficulties or other disabilities. The Work Programme, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies and the Troubled Families Programme are also tailored to support families with children and people with mental health conditions. The decision to temporarily halt a claimant’s benefit payment is always thoroughly considered and is not something we do lightly. It is a consequence of a claimant not meeting their requirements in return for receiving the benefit without good reason. The requirements and consequences are clearly communicated with them throughout their claim and set out in their Claimant Commitment. There are a number of steps in the decision making process to ensure that our decisions are correct.  After being notified of the decision, claimants can apply for hardship payments. Vulnerable claimants can apply for hardship immediately and the majority of claims are approved.

Housing Benefit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in the number of working people claiming housing benefit on housing benefit spending.

Justin Tomlinson: Historic and forecast Housing Benefit caseload and expenditure are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/416959/Outturn-and-forecast-Budget-2015.xlsx The effect of rising numbers of working claimants can be seen in the lines showing the ‘Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit only’ group, nearly all of whom are in work, and who are receiving Housing Benefit only on the grounds of being low income renters. Further detailed statistics on Housing Benefit caseload and average weekly amounts are available at https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Bovine Tuberculosis: South West

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of badgers exterminated through culling in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) Somerset were found to carry bovine tuberculosis in all instances in which tests were carried out in the last five years.

George Eustice: Badgers culled under licence in Somerset and Gloucestershire in 2013 and 2014 were not routinely tested for tuberculosis (TB), since this research had already been carried out under the Random Badger Cull Trial (RBCT).However, testing of badgers between 1998 and 2005 via the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and Road Traffic Accident surveys provided evidence of the typical prevalence of TB in badgers in areas of high incidence of TB in cattle. TB was found in around one third of all badgers in these areas.During the culls, four badger carcasses were tested on occasion at the specific request of landowners. The tests were carried out by independent veterinary surgeons. Of the four carcasses, one carcass was confirmed to be infected with Bovine TB.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Affordable Housing: Construction

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what monitoring is undertaken of the numbers of affordable houses built per region under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the impact on housing developments of delayed negotiations over section 106 agreements under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Brandon Lewis: Information on affordable housing built under section 106 agreements in England is collected from individual local planning authorities on an annual basis and is published in the Department’s live tables which are available at the following link. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply Data is not collected on the number of housing developments delayed by section106 negotiations.

Mayors: Liverpool

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many public consultations his Department has conducted on the subject of mayors in Liverpool since 2010.

James Wharton: There has been one public consultation, “What can a mayor do for your city?”, seeking views from 12 major English cities including Liverpool. The consultation together with the Government’s response can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/what-can-a-mayor-do-for-your-city--3

Right to Buy Scheme

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many social rented homes have been sold under the Right to Buy policy in (a) England, (b) London, (c) London Borough of Islington and (d) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: Statistics on annual Right to Buy sales for each local authority district in England are published in the Department’s table 685 which is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-social-housing-salesQuarterly data for 2014/15 for each local authority district in England will be published on 25 June 2015 in table 691 which is available via the same link.The statistics are not compiled on the basis of parliamentary constituencies.

Affordable Housing

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been built as part of the affordable rent model by (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in (i) England, (ii) London, (iii) London Borough of Islington and (iv) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the last four years.

Brandon Lewis: Statistics on additional affordable housing provided in each local authority area in England since 2011/12 are published in the Department’s live table 1006a (affordable rent) which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supplyData for 2014/15 will be published later this year.The statistics are not compiled on the basis of parliamentary constituencies.

Help to Buy Scheme

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been sold to first-time buyers under the Help to Buy scheme in (a) England, (b) London, (c) London Borough of Islington and (d) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the last four years.

Brandon Lewis: Since the launch of the Help to Buy schemes, the total number of homes sold to first time buyers through these schemes is 68,605 in England, of which 4,719 were in London. Comparable figures are not available for the London Borough of Islington.Figures for Help to Buy sales to first time buyers are not available for the constituency.

Right to Buy Scheme

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the revenue raised which will be made available to housing associations in (a) England and Wales, (b) England, (c) London, (d) London Borough of Islington and (e) Islington South and Finsbury constituency following the extension of the Right to Buy policy to housing association tenants.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what financial support will be made available to housing associations to compensate for and replace housing stock sold at below market value through the extended right to buy scheme.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed extension of right to buy on public finances.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the extension of right to buy on the availability of (a) social housing and (b) affordable housing.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of new homes for social rent that it will be financially viable for housing associations to build using revenue accrued from the planned extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of housing association homes that will be sold following the planned extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.

Brandon Lewis: Details will be set out in the impact assessment when the Housing Bill is published. It has been made clear that every additional home sold under the extended Right to Buy would be replaced with a new affordable home.

Right to Buy Scheme

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average proportion discount was of social rented homes sold under the Right to Buy policy in (a) England, (b) London, (c) London Borough of Islington and (d) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the last five years.

Brandon Lewis: Estimates of the discount as a proportion of the selling price can be derived from published statistics on the selling price and discounts allowed for each local authority district in England for 2013/14.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-social-housing-saleshttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-housing-dataThe data go back to 2011/12 but are not available on a comparable basis for earlier years. The statistics are not compiled on the basis of parliamentary constituencies.

HM Treasury

Income Tax: Tax Allowances

Paul Flynn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the cost to the public purse will be by 2020 of increasing the personal allowance to £12,500 per annum; and from which area of expenditure that cost will be met.

Mr David Gauke: The cost of raising the income tax personal allowance may be approximated using the “Direct effects of illustrative tax changes” table as published at the following address:   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direct-effects-of-illustrative-tax-changes   The table shows the cost of a £100 increase and a 10% increase in the personal allowance. This can be used to scale the proportionate cost to raise the personal allowance to a level where indexation would take it to £12,500 by 2020-21.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Jim Shannon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that the tax credit helpline is adequately staffed.

Mr David Gauke: In addition to our core Tax Credit advisers, this year HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has recruited more than 2,000 staff to its customer service teams and plans to have the majority of them in place and operational by end of June 2015.   Alongside this, a further 1,500 extra staff from across HMRC are moving temporarily to support customer services in the run-up to the Tax Credits renewals deadline on 31 July. This movement of teams across HMRC in now a normal feature of how the department works: the tax year features distinct peaks in customer demand, with weekly calls varying from a few hundred thousand to well over a million, and so it would be highly inefficient to resource its teams to peak demand all year round.   This year, Tax Credits customers can also renew or report changes of circumstances online at: www.gov.uk/renewtaxcredits and HMRC is actively encouraging them to do so.

Income Tax: Tax Allowances

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to increase the personal tax allowance.

Mr David Gauke: The government has committed to raise the income tax personal allowance to £12,500 by end of this parliament. Alongside this commitment, the government will also legislate to ensure that that, in the future, individuals working 30 hours at the national minimum wage do not pay income tax.  Increases in the personal allowance this Parliament will benefit around 30 million individuals.

HSBC: Tax Avoidance

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made in the inquiry into tax avoidance facilitated by HSBC.

Mr David Gauke: In February 2015, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received formal authorisation from our close partners in France to share the existing data for all criminal purposes within the UK. HMRC has engaged with key law enforcement partners.   Work is continuing to identify the potential for any action against those who have evaded their responsibilities or those who have facilitated tax evasion.

Public Expenditure

John Pugh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what per capita revenue contribution is made to (a) Scotland and (b) each region of England for the running of public services.

Mr David Gauke: The Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) published in November 2014, provides country and regional level splits of identifiable public expenditure over a five-year outturn period from 2009-10 to 2013-14 and is available using the link below.   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/country-and-regional-analysis-2014   Table A.2 supplies information on ‘total identifiable expenditure on services’ on a per head basis. This table includes figures for Scotland and each region of England.

Inflation

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received on the effect of negative inflation on the economy.

Harriett Baldwin: Low inflation is currently being driven by the recent fall in the oil price, which many forecasters expect to be positive for UK GDP. For example both the Bank of England and the OBR expect the fall in the oil price to boost GDP growth over the next year, as a result of the increase in households’ real income, which should translate into higher household spending.

Revenue and Customs: Sheffield

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to relocate HM Revenue and Customs' staff from offices in Sheffield.

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what future plans he has for HM Revenue and Customs' offices in Sheffield.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has no immediate plans for the relocation of its Sheffield office.   HMRC has announced that its long term model for 2020 and beyond will look to bring 95% of its workforce together into new Regional Centre offices. These are long terms plans and HMRC is still giving careful consideration to where these Regional Centres will be, what they will look like and the criteria they will need to fill.

Revenue and Customs: Standards

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the quality of service provided by HM Revenue and Customs on corporation tax.

Mr David Gauke: HMRC uses surveys to monitor the quality of service provided to small, medium sized and large businesses. These surveys track their whole experience and the service they receive, not just on Corporation Tax.   Small and medium sized businesses   HMRC tracks the experience of its SME business customers as part of its annual Customer Survey, conducted by external research agency TNS-BMRB since 2008. The latest report was published in September 2014 and is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/349467/report336.pdf   Large businesses   Since 2010 a Large Business Panel Survey has been carried out by external research agency IFF Research. The latest report was published in June 2014 and is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318936/report312.pdf

Revenue and Customs: Standards

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent representations he has received on the quality of service provided by HM Revenue and Customs on corporation tax.

Mr David Gauke: Treasury ministers and officials speak regularly to businesses on tax policies and the quality of service provided by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In additional to this, HMRC uses surveys to monitor the quality of service provided to small, medium sized and large businesses. These surveys track their whole experience and the service they receive, not just on Corporation Tax.   HMRC tracks the experience of its SME business customers as part of its annual Customer Survey, conducted by external research agency TNS-BMRB since 2008. The latest report was published in September 2014 and is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/349467/report336.pdf   Since 2010 a Large Business Panel Survey has been carried out by external research agency IFF Research. The latest report was published in June 2014 and is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318936/report312.pdf

Treasury: International Tax and Investment Centre

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with (i) Dave Hartnett and (ii) representatives from the International Tax and Investment Centre since 2012.

Mr David Gauke: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations as part of the process of policy development and delivery. The Treasury publishes a list of ministerial meetings with external organisations, available at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury/series/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Income Tax: Tax Allowances

Emily Thornberry: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Government plans to raise the income tax personal allowance to £12,000 per year.

Mr David Gauke: The government has committed to raise the income tax personal allowance to £12,500 by end of this parliament. Alongside this commitment, the government will also legislate to ensure that that, in the future, individuals working 30 hours at the national minimum wage do not pay income tax.  Increases in the personal allowance this Parliament will benefit around 30 million individuals.

FIFA

Clive Efford: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) Ministers in his Department and (b) the Financial Services Authority have had with the (i) Swiss authorities and (ii) US administration's Justice Department on the investigation of fraud, racketeering and money laundering at FIFA.

Harriett Baldwin: The Treasury ensures up to date, proportionate and effective regulation of banks and appoints independent supervisors such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This protects the integrity and stability of the financial system, making it a hostile environment for illicit finances, and supports law enforcement agencies in the investigation of criminal and terrorist financing.   The FCA is responsible for ensuring compliance of financial institutions with their anti-money laundering requirements. The FCA is operationally independent from Government and carries out its functions within the framework of statutory objectives and duties agreed by Parliament.   The FCA is discussing with banks whether the FIFA episode has highlighted weaknesses in their AML systems and controls.   The Serious Fraud Office is the UK agency responsible for investigating and prosecuting the most serious cases of fraud, bribery and corruption. The SFO engages regularly with its overseas counterparts, and will assist overseas investigations as appropriate.   It would not be right or appropriate for ministers to intervene in regulatory or criminal investigations.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

BBC

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to publish a green and white paper on the BBC Charter renewal and draft Charter and Framework Agreements.

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to publish a consultation document on the BBC Charter renewal before Parliament rises for the summer recess.

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to publish his timetable for the BBC Charter renewal.

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will set up an independent review panel for the BBC Charter Renewal.

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to ensure that the Charter Renewal process is conducted on a cross-party basis.

Mr Edward Vaizey: My Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering a range of options for reviewing the BBC's Royal Charter and will make an announcement in due course.

Department of Health

Pregnancy: Sodium Valproate

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of recent Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency guidelines on prescribing sodium valproate during pregnancy; and if he will implement stronger guidelines to minimise the risks of fetal valproate syndrome from use of sodium valproate.

George Freeman: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for developing national clinical guidelines to secure consistent, high quality, evidence based care for patients using the National Health Service. The NICE guideline on epilepsy, The epilepsies: the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care, makes clear that to enable informed decisions and choice, women and girls with epilepsy must be given accurate information and counselling about contraception, conception and pregnancy.   The Department worked with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, healthcare professionals and patient groups to raise awareness and encourage discussion about the risks and benefits of sodium valproate between healthcare professionals and their patients. Several measures were put in place to minimize the prescribing of sodium valproate to women of childbearing potential (except where other drugs are ineffective or not tolerated) and to communicate the warnings around the drug sodium valproate to healthcare professionals and patients (particularly women of child bearing potential). These include: - working with the Health and Social Care Information Service on introducing red-flag warnings on general practitioners and community pharmacy IT systems; - updating the British National Formulary (BNF) and BNF for children (BNFc); - using existing Departmental and NHS communication channels to raise awareness and provide information to patients; and - working with the relevant Royal Colleges and professional bodies to communicate with their members and raise awareness.

Bone Diseases: Stem Cells

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to encourage the use of stem cell therapy for bone regrowth.

George Freeman: The Government has specifically supported the clinical application of stem cells as part of an overall strategy to develop regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine includes a wide range of cellular therapies including the use of stem cells to promote the regrowth of bone tissue. Regenerative medicine is one of the eight great technologies identified for targeted investment and where the United Kingdom has the potential to become a world-leader. Earlier this year the Regenerative Medicine Expert Group (RMEG) published their final report. This report sets out an NHS regenerative medicine delivery readiness strategy and action plan. The RMEG report sets out a series of recommendations and these will form the basis of the ongoing strategy to support regenerative medicine.

Kisspeptin

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal Colleges about the use of kisspeptin to treat (a) infertility and (b) diabetes.

George Freeman: There have been no discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and the Royal Colleges about the use of Kisspeptin to treat infertility or diabetes.

Abortion: Lobbying

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the use of public money by independent abortion providers for the purpose of lobbying for changes to Government policy and legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: In England, clinical commissioning groups contract independent sector providers to perform termination of pregnancy services. The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for the provision of healthcare services in Northern Ireland.

Paracetamol: Children

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to encourage a reduction in the use of paracetamol by children.

George Freeman: Taking paracetamol in quantities which exceed the recommended dose is extremely dangerous. It can cause irreparable damage to the liver and can be fatal. All medicines, including those bought over-the-counter, must be used responsibly and as advised in the information provided with the medicine. Packs of paracetamol have warnings that medical advice should be sought immediately in the event of an overdose, even if the person feels well.   There is a restriction on the quantity of paracetamol tablets/capsules in a pack (16 tablets for sale from general retail outlets, e.g. a supermarket and 32 tablets for sale from pharmacists).   There is also guidance for retailers not to sell more than two packs in one transaction to strongly discourage multiple sales and multibuy promotions. It is illegal to sell more than 100 tablets or capsules of either paracetamol or aspirin in any one retail transaction. Retailers are advised to exercise their judgement in deciding whether it is appropriate to sell to a child, bearing in mind that medicines are labelled to the effect that they should be kept out of reach and sight of children and that many products are not recommended for use by children.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of how many laboratories in the UK have access to the necessary facilities and expertise for carrying out the mitochondrial donation procedures authorised under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Mitochondrial Donation) Regulations 2015.

Jane Ellison: Such an assessment will be made by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority as part of the licensing provisions allowed for under the regulations.

Maternal Mortality

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the UK's maternal mortality rate.

Ben Gummer: Maternal mortality rates in the United Kingdom are falling, from 13.95 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth in 2003–05 to 10.12 in 2010-12. Internationally, UK maternal mortality rates are similar to France and Germany, but still higher than in Norway, Spain and Sweden.   A range of actions have been taken to help improve outcomes for both women and babies. The Department aims to ensure that women receive the highest quality maternity care by focusing on improving health outcomes and women’s experience of care, and giving women greater choice over childbirth.   To support the National Health Service in improving outcomes in pregnancy, labour and immediately after birth, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed quality standards on antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care designed to drive up standards and measure priority quality improvements. The standards are derived from the best available evidence and are central to improved care focussing on delivering the best possible outcomes.   It is the responsibility of NHS organisations to ensure high quality care and choice for women in pregnancy and during childbirth. Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning maternity services locally. To assist with the commissioning of safe maternity services that reflect the needs and preferences of local maternity users, NHS England has developed a maternity commissioning resource pack for clinical commissioning groups which is currently being updated.   The UK has the most robust data in the world and a long established programme to review maternal deaths, which widely disseminates its findings and recommendations to help reduce the number of such deaths in the future. Since the programme was established in the early 1950s, there has been a 90% reduction in maternal deaths due to direct obstetric complications.   In addition, we now have over 2,000 more midwives and over 4,000 more health visitors since 2010.

Hepatitis: Health Services

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the national improvement framework for hepatitis C being developed by NHS England and Public Health England is expected to be released.

Jane Ellison: NHS England is currently reviewing the commissioning strategy for hepatitis C. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is considering the new oral drugs for hepatitis C treatment. Once NHS England has completed its process and NICE has published new treatment guidelines, NHS England, in partnership with Public Health England and the Department, will review the draft Improvement Framework and make amendments where necessary to ensure it is ‘fit for purpose’.

NHS England

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the (a) names and (b) positions are of all members of NHS England's (i) Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, (ii) Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group and (iii) Specialised Commissioning Committee.

George Freeman: A list of the names and positons of all members of NHS England’s Clinical Priorities Advisory Group, Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group and Specialised Commissioning Committee has been attached to this answer. 



NHS England's CPAG, SCOG & SCC membership list
(Word Document, 16.91 KB)

Medical Records: Leeds

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the three clinical commissioning groups in Leeds not included in the Schedule to the draft directions on care.data submitted to NHS England for approval will be included in the pathfinder process.

George Freeman: The directions will be updated to include Leeds pathfinder practices, at the appropriate time, once all the participating practices have been confirmed.

Medical Records

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the publication of the updated GP clinical code specification referred to in Annex 1 of the care.data Directions, whether any patient communications for care.data will be sent in June 2015.

George Freeman: The updated GP clinical code specification is scheduled for publication in June. The amendments have not changed the clinical concepts, but have focused on strengthening the precautions in place to make sure only the right codes are being extracted.   The decision to send patient communications will be made with each pathfinder area based on their readiness to proceed. No timeframes are being imposed by the programme.

Parkinson's Disease: Drugs

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects NHS England to take a decision on the draft clinical commissioning policy for Duodopa.

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how NHS England will communicate the decision on the draft clinical commissioning policy for Duodopa to (a) clinicians and (b) patients.

George Freeman: NHS England has advised that a decision on the draft clinical commissioning policy for Duodopa is expected by the end of June.   NHS England has further advised that there will be a formal announcement of all the decisions relating to the clinical commissioning policies which have recently been consulted on at the end of June.